Design And Construction Of An Automatic Solar Light

ABSTRACT

An automatic solar light is also known as rechargeable lamp or solar lantern, is a lighting system composed of an LED lamp, solar panels, battery, charge controller and there may also be an inverter. The lamp operates on electricity from batteries, charged through the use of solar photovoltaic panel.

Solar-powered office lighting can replace other light sources like candles or kerosene lamps. Automatic solar light use renewable energy with infinity supply which is cheaper than standard lamps. In addition, solar lamps reduce health risk as kerosene lamps have a bad impact on human health. However, solar lamps may have higher initial cost, are weather dependent.

TABLE OF CONTENT
Title Page
Approval Page
Dedication
Acknowledgement
Abstract

CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the project
1.2 Objective of the Project
1.3 Significance of the Project
1.4 limitation of the project
1.5 Application of the project

CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW 
2.1Historical Background of the Project
2.2Theories and Model Relevant to the Design
2.3System Component Description

CHAPTER THREE
CONSTRUCTION
3.1 Description of the System Building Blocks
3.3 Circuit diagram
3.4 Operation principle of the System
3.4 Circuit description
3.5 Component List
3.6 Complete Circuit Diagram of the System

CHAPTER FOUR 
4.0 Result analysis
4.1 construction procedure and testing analysis
4.2 casing and packaging
4.3 Assembling Of Sections
4.4 Testing of system operation
4.5 installation of the completed design
CHAPTER FIVE 
5.1 Cost Analysis
5.2 Problems Encountered
5.3 Recommendation and Conclusion
5.4 References

CHAPTER

1.1                                          INTRODUCTION

An automatic solar lighting device or mounted light fixture used to illuminate broad areas. An automatic solar lighting device may also be used for signaling, as torches, or as general light sources outdoors and indoors – such as an office. Low light level varieties are used for decoration. The term “lantern” is also used more generically to mean a light source, or the enclosure for a light source.

Solar lights are very useful electrical gadgets and are quite popular, too. During a power failure these portable lights are able to instantly illuminate through battery back up and never allow us to stumble in the darkness. Although you will find a variety of them in different shapes and sizes in the market, but building your own emergency light at home can be a totally different experience. It will not only help you to create a quality design but also will acquaint you to the technical aspects of the unit. Besides, you also get an opportunity to customize the circuit as per your own needs.

Nowadays, because of low energy or power consumption, low heat emission, low cost, the portability, wider application, energy saving bulb are highly used than florescent lamp which is powered and recharged using solar system which is the aim of this work.

In developing countries the solar light is a cheap alternative to a Solar Home System (SHS) providing 4-5 hours of high quality lighting service or 15 hours of listening to the radio. It provides higher quality light than the use of candles or kerosene lamps used in offices. They are also used to provide street lighting in rural areas. In this case Light Emitting Diode (LED) solar lanterns are usually used.

It uses a PV panel to charge up a 12-Volt lead-acid gel cell battery located in the base of the lamp which is designed to withstand many charge/ discharge cycles.

1.2                             OBJECTIVE OF THE PROJECT

The objective of this work is to design a solar operated lighting gadget that can be powered directly from solar panel for the purposing of charging the battery which later used whenever there is power outage during the night. In this work passive infrared (PIR) was used which acts as a sensing device.

1.3                          SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PROJECT

Solar lights are independent of the utility grid resulting to lessened operation costs. These means that these are wireless lights and are not connected to your electricity provider. The lights are dependent of the heat energy given off by the sun, storing as much of it throughout the day. Solar light  require lesser maintenance than conventional street lights. These have lower chances of overheating. Since solar wires do not have external wires, the risk of accidents is minimized. A lot of times, accidents happen to the personnel who fixes the street light. These can include strangulation or electrocution. Solar light are environment-friendly because its panels are solely dependent to the sun hence eliminating your carbon footprints contribution. Some parts of Solar lighting systems can be easily carried to remote areas making these more efficient and handy solutions to lighting problems.

1.4                            LIMITATION OF THE PROJECT

Automatic Solar Light requires higher initial investment compared to conventional lantern. This is actually the main reason why most people are having second thoughts about switching to automatic solar light. They consider the money they are required to spend without realizing the long-term benefits and the longer life cycle of solar street lights. Because these are non-wired, these can easily be stolen. The risk for theft is relatively higher because it has higher monetary value compared to regular street lights. Snow or dust, and moisture can accumulate on horizontal PV-panels. This leads to reduced or full stoppage of energy production. This is why automatic solar light to be checked once in a while especially when placed on areas with extreme weather conditions, which can damage or shorten the life cycle of it. Rechargeable batteries must be replaced a few times within the lifetime of the fixtures. This adds up to the total lifetime cost of the lighting system. Just like other components, rechargeable batteries also get exhausted that is why you must include replacing them as part of your maintenance cost.

 1.5                          APPLICATION OF THE PROJECT

Apart from using this device in office which is the purpose of the work, automatic solar light is also used in many places such as:

• In school library, hall and labs
• Churches
• Workshop
• Homes, etc

All for the purpose of illuminating of such environment. They highly choose because of its simplicity and safety, that is, it can be charged, hanged, and continues with your adventures into the night.

1.6                                              ADVANTAGES OF PROJECT

1. Lightweight. Compared to a gas lantern, an automatic solar light is light as a feather. Gas lanterns are typically made of glass and have metal canisters that add weight that rechargeable lanterns are able to eliminate. The lighter the weight of the lantern the more versatile it can be, whether it be to light up the card table or take it for your bathroom break.
2. User-friendly. With the variety of lanterns like liquid fuel, gas, or even candle, a automatic solar light is an alternative that offers ease of use. All you have to do it switch it on and light is available. This saves you from having to remember to bring other items on the trip like gas to fuel the lantern or matches to light the candle. If you happen to have kids joining you on a camping trip, spoiler alert: they will more than likely drop a gas lantern and break the glass. Skip to the good part and allow them to carry a rechargeable lantern without worry.
3. Lanterns with flames always come with a small risk of causing a fire, but automatic solar light don’t require a babysitter. By avoiding a kerosene powered lantern, you can eliminate potential fumes.
4. The right automatic solar light offers a number of ways to keep it up and running. This can be charged via solar cell

1.7          BENEFITS OF ENEGY LIGHTBULBS IN AUTOMATIC SOLAR LIGHT

Long-lasting – energy bulbs last up to 10 times as long as compact fluorescents, and far longer than typical incandescents.

Durable – since energy bulb do not have a filament, they are not damaged under circumstances when a regular incandescent bulb would be broken. Because they are solid, energy bulbs hold up well to jarring and bumping.

Cool – these bulbs do not cause heat build-up; energy lamp produce 3.4 btu’s/hour, compared to 85 for incandescent bulbs. Common incandescent bulbs get hot and contribute to heat build-up in a room. Energy lamp prevents this heat build-up, thereby helping to reduce air conditioning costs in the home.

Mercury-free – no mercury is used in the manufacturing of energy lamp.

More efficient – Energy light bulbs use only 2-17 watts of electricity (1/3rd to 1/30th of Incandescent or CFL). Energy bulbs used in fixtures inside the home save electricity, remain cool and save money on replacement costs since energy bulbs last so long. Small energy flashlight bulbs will extend battery life 10 to 15 times longer than with incandescent bulbs.

Cost-effective – although energy bulbs are initially expensive, the cost is recouped over time and in battery savings. Energy bulb use was first adopted commercially, where maintenance and replacement costs are expensive. But the cost of new energy bulbs has gone down considerably in the last few years. and are continuing to go down. Today, there are many new energy light bulbs for use in the home, and the cost is becoming less of an issue.

Light for remote areas and portable generators – because of the low power requirement for energy, using solar panels becomes more practical and less expensive than running an electric line or using a generator for lighting in remote or off-grid areas. Energy light bulbs are also ideal for use with small portable generators which homeowners use for backup power in emergencies.